A Closer Look at Pot to Clear the Smoke

Cannabis has been shrouded in mystery since centuries, despite its popularity in many cultures. While some sing praises about its virtues, others denounce it, citing many vices. Unfortunately, legalization of cannabis has come ahead of scientific evidence, leaving people confused about all the therapeutic values. It’s time to unfold the full truth behind the buds.

FAQs on Cannabis Consumption

#1 Will cannabis make you put on weight?

THC for weight gain: THC in cannabis is known to stimulate appetite by increasing metabolism. What you eat thereafter or how much you eat is really up to you. Studies by the Clinical Neuroscience in 2014 confirmed that marijuana does build hunger and help in weight gain for those suffering from illnesses or chemotherapy treatments. But in general, cannabis ingestion helps to lower body mass index. It can help regulate body weight by adding pounds to underweight people but not in others who weigh normal or are overweight. However, THC is just one cannabinoid compound in cannabis. There’s more!

CBD for weight loss: Korean researchers in 2016 revealed that CBD cannabinoids, unlike THC, impacts metabolism in not one but three ways:

CBD breaks down fat

boosts production of mitochondria, increasing the body’s power to burn calories

reduces proteins that are responsible for creating new fat cells that endanger the heart.

#2 Will recreational marijuana help increase athletic ability?

A study by the Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine found no evidence of enhanced sports performance in athletes. But marijuana can help athletes recover from strenuous sports and sleep more soundly.

Men’s Journal mentioned a Colorado triathlete who integrated marijuana into his rigorous training program with homemade energy bars. The author of the article endorsed marijuana as a workout supplement to enhance training for overall fitness and recovery. Here are a few reasons why:

THC has anti-inflammatory properties, strengthens the immune system and induce speedy muscle recovery. Most athletes steer clear of smoking and choose alternative cannabis consumption methods such as oils, salves and edibles.

#3 Can smoking pot turn you a criminal?

Cannabis has been sensationalized in films, sometimes unfairly associating weed smokers with criminal activities, without offering evidence. Fact is, marijuana consumption does not lead to the desire to commit crime. On the contrary, a study by Victoria University of Wellington and Motu Economic and Public Policy Research in 2018 found that violent crimes and property crimes reduced by 20% in California since weed became legalized. There was no link to marijuana use and the addiction to make money or break the law.

# 4 Does weed increase sexual desire?

Now this is interesting! The answer could be yes! According to The Journal of Sexual Medicine, regular weed users are more active between the sheets. Dr Michael Eisenberg, an assistant professor of urology at Stanford University Medical Centre said in the article by CNN "Usually, people assume the more frequently you smoke, the worse it could be when it came to sex, but in fact, we learned the opposite was true.” The study involved 28,000 women and about 23,000.

Eisenberg said that marijuana use may generally increase sexual arousal.

However, studies also show that consuming too much marijuana can decrease sperm count, and make orgasm in men more challenging.

# 5 Can cannabis treat children with epilepsy and autism?

In a study published in the journal Neurology, 60 children with autism were given oral CBD and THC at a ratio of 2:1. The results were astonishing. There was marked improvement in behavioral problems, anxiety issues and communication problems. “The preliminary study supports the feasibility of CBD based medical cannabis as a promising treatment option for refractory behavioral problems in children with ASD,” the report concluded.

# 6 Does cannabis increase symptoms in psychotic patients?

In children and adults with an established psychotic disorder, cannabinoids can increase symptoms, increase chances of relapse and increase risk of psychotic disorders later in life. Cannabis use was also clearly associated with decreased cognitive functions in patients with no history of the disorder and increase cognitive performance in those with a family history of psychotic disorder.

# 7 Can cannabis help reduce substance addiction?

There is also enough evidence to support that cannabis may help in addicts wean away from opioid drugs and substance abuse. Cannabis may also effectively treat migraines, headaches and schizophrenia.